Politics & Government

Marks Plans to Downzone Oakleigh Pet Cemetery

Residential development will still be allowed if the property is sold but the density of housing will be decreased.

, fifth district councilman David Marks announced his intention to decrease the zoning for a neighborhood pet cemetery as a part of the county's quadrennial comprehensive zoning map process (CZMP).

The planned change will allow only 3 houses to be built on the Oakleigh Pet Cemetery property instead of the current 15 that could be built there, regardless of environmental constraints, Marks wrote.

The pet cemetery, located in the 8400 block of Oakleigh Road, has been deteriorating for years leading to thousands of dollars in fines from Baltimore County's government, according to Marks.

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In addition to the proposed zoning changes, Marks said that he planned to introduce legislation at an August County Council meeting to protect those people who purchased plots there.

"The Oakleigh Pet Cemetery, like human graveyards, is supposed to be a place of serenity and beauty. I believe we owe it to pet lovers and the surrounding neighborhood to clean up the cemetery and place limitations on future uses," Marks wrote.

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Do you live near Oakleigh Pet Cemetery? Do you think this change in zoning would be positive? Share your thoughts on the pet cemetery here in the comments.


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